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Pocono News Section
Attorney General Warns of Summer Scams
Attorney General Warns of Summer Scams - Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 04:06AM EST
Reported by: Mike Trim
Tuesday June 08 2010
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- The state attorney general's office says summer is the season for contractor scams. Karen O'Dell's first home improvement project at her Scranton home didn't go well. She paid a contractor for the work, but it was never finished, leaving her,
"Angry, frustrated, used, taken advantage of," said O'Dell.
The state attorney general's office wants homeowners to have a better experience. O'Dell hired a contractor to fix her roof last year. But she broke rule number one: she didn't check if the contractor was licensed with the state.
O'Dell says the contractor claimed he was licensed, but she found out he wasn't the hard way.
"Not at all a pleasant, pleasant feeling. still isn't," said O'Dell.
Next, the contractor asked for nearly all the money for the job up front. The total: nearly $7,200. The AG's office warns, don't pay any money until a contract detailing all work is signed.
Months went by and O'Dell's contractor only finished the back and front porch roof. She then says the contractor was hard to get a hold of and she knew, she likely fell victim to a scam.
"They're going to do all this work for you. and you walk away, hand them that money and you don't see them again," said O'Dell.
Our third tip is checking your contractors background. If properly registered, a contractors criminal history is public record. Also, check with the better business bureau to see if anyone's filed a complaint about your contractor.
O'Dell says you can't beat good old common sense.
She said, "So if it sounds too good to be true it is."
O'Dell's in the process of getting her money back. She won a civil lawsuit against her contractor this year and she got her roof repaired by a legit contractor. But if you do feel like you're getting the run around, file a complaint with the attorney general's office immediately. | | |
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